Mikal Bridges scored a career-high 28 points as fourth-ranked Villanova (9-0) defeated No. 12/13 Gonzaga 88-72 in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. Phil Booth scored 20, while Omari Spellman notched a double-double with 10 points, 10 boards. Villanova led 43-30 at the half.
Marquette’s Markus Howard tied a career-best with 34 points as the Golden Eagles (6-3) surged past Vermont, 91-81, at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. It was Howard’s fourth 30-point outing for the year. He converted six-of-11 3-pointers and went 6-for-6 from the charity stripe to remain perfect on the year.
Creighton (6-2) never trailed in a 111-68 win over North Dakota, the defending Big Sky Tournament champs.